Expensive amps

I'm of the belief that it's much the same with amps as it is with guitars only maybe a bit more so. Less expensive models will get you very close but lack some of the finer touches and features of the very best money can buy. If those things are important to a guy and money is no object I say go for it. There's nothing like a great amp to make an average guitar sound exceptional.

I have a very good friend and TDPRI member who has two 65 Amps models that I believe are two of the finest sounding amps I've ever played through and I'd love to own one. It's just that for me those amps are beyond my limit price wise and I can get close enough for me with those I have all of which cost me less than just one of his 65 Amps models.

Play what you like, can easily afford, and what fits your style and skill level. A $2k-$3k amp isn't gonna make me sound any better than those I have.

Being a new player and someone who can appreciate nicely built things. I became aware of what a nice amp can do after been buying a original 1968 Drip Edge Champ for $325. This started me out and have been adding a little nicer gear over the past 2 years. Last year I picked my Clark 12" Tweed Champ and absolutely love it. It's got some pretty nice options and think I paid $1250 for it used directly from Michael. He told me it'd be about $2300 to recreate(which is kinda crazy for a tweed champ although it does have on board tube reverb and an attenuator). I'm going to add a Blackface Princeton Reverb either boutique or vintage. I'm leaning towards boutique since it's less money and won't need an amp tech to bring it up to par. After add the Princeton I wont need any amps, unless I move from the bedroom to a band and I'm a little ways from that.

I'm of the belief that it's much the same with amps as it is with guitars only maybe a bit more so. Less expensive models will get you very close but lack some of the finer touches and features of the very best money can buy. If those things are important to a guy and money is no object I say go for it. There's nothing like a great amp to make an average guitar sound exceptional.

I have a very good friend and TDPRI member who has two 65 Amps models that I believe are two of the finest sounding amps I've ever played through and I'd love to own one. It's just that for me those amps are beyond my limit price wise and I can get close enough for me with those I have all of which cost me less than just one of his 65 Amps models.

Play what you like, can easily afford, and what fits your style and skill level. A $2k-$3k amp isn't gonna make me sound any better than those I have.

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This is one of the most insightful posts I've read on the general topic of spending money on gear. Bravo!

I guess all I wanted to point out is that it's all somewhat commensurate with one's playing skills. I am not what I or anyone else would call an exceptional guitarist so a $3000 amp isn't gonna make me sound or play any better. Only more focused practice will do that. I play only what works best for me based on that.

My jam brother however is an exceptional guitarist, so he can get far more benefit out of his top of line gear than I ever will. I believe this is just further proof that "tone" is more in the head and the hands than in the strings, tubes, wire, and speakers. They can only enhance what's already there.

Hmm...this thread made me realize I've never really spent a lot of money on an amp (always less than 1000.00). I think the main reason is I've always bought amps with the idea that they would be gigged with and would be exposed to those rigors (where and tear, a lot of moving, theft risk). I've never really had the luxury of having a $$$ amp that could remain at home. I've had and have some fairly decent stuff but I usually wait for a deal or buy used more often than I do with instruments. I've been thinking of pulling the trigger on a new reissue super reverb or bassman so that will get me in four digits for the first time.

I dont care about uber-expensive amps , just like I dont watch expensive car testing ( thrashing ) on TV . It will never be a part of my life anyway.
I guess for most people like me , that is an older guy who can afford most normal things , if I really want to ,it is all about getting a desireable amp for your purpose , and use it , really use it , to the very max of its potential. Then either use it as your no 1 , or get something else.
Dont get too hung up on how heavy it is or similar. Face it , if you are not disabled , and you want to play with a certain type of amp ,you will have to deal with it , you wont ever find similar in a smaller package anyway.
Practice bed-room sized amps wont ever cut it on any stage , and if the preferred amp tends to be too loud , learn to deal with it , mod it , use a certain pedal , and just use what you need to help the situation.
Then live happily forever with you favorite , high quality amp
These are just my observations , and feel free to use it reg guitars if youd like.

This past Spring I splurged and bought my dream bass amp, a 1966 Ampeg B-15 in really nice condition. It was about $2,200. It sounds really good with my '63 P bass and also sounds great with a Tele too.

This past Spring I splurged and bought my dream bass amp, a 1966 Ampeg B-15 in really nice condition. It was about $2,200. It sounds really good with my '63 P bass and also sounds great with a Tele too.

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That looks real yummy, always wanted to play through one. Looks like a nice example too.